Expressing preferences: using 'would rather' and 'prefer'
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Think about these questions before listening. Share your ideas with a partner.
- When you have a free evening, what influences your decision on how to spend it (for example, your mood, the weather, or who you are with)?
- Think about your weekends. Would you rather spend your time being active outdoors or relaxing indoors? Give some examples of what you like to do.
- Describe a time you had to choose between two different plans or invitations. What did you decide to do, and why?
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Making Weekend Plans
Listen to the dialogue. Notice how the vocabulary and grammar from the lesson are used.
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Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the audio recording.
01What was Marco's first idea for Saturday?
Sample answerHis first idea was to have a lie-in because he was tired from the week.
02Why doesn't Emma like Marco's first idea?
Sample answerShe doesn't like it because she would rather do something more active.
03What activity does Marco strongly dislike doing on a Saturday?
Sample answerHe can't stand going shopping at the mall on a Saturday.
04What is the final plan that Emma and Marco agree on?
Sample answerThey agree to go for a hike and meet at the park entrance at 10 am.
4
Decide if each statement is true or false based on the audio recording. Correct the false ones.
01Marco wants to go to the new art gallery.
02Emma suggests going shopping at the mall.
03Marco is keen on being outdoors in good weather.
04Emma and Marco decide to meet in the afternoon.
05At first, Marco wanted a relaxing start to the weekend.
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Grammar: Expressing preferences with 'would rather' and 'prefer'
Grammar
We use 'would rather' and 'prefer' to talk about what we want in a specific situation or in general. They are very useful for discussing choices about daily activities or weekend plans, but they follow different grammar rules.
Examples
I'd rather go to the park than stay at home.
Use 'would rather' + base verb (go) + 'than' + base verb (stay). Notice there is no 'to' after 'rather'.
I prefer watching a movie at home to going to the cinema.
Use 'prefer' + verb-ing (watching) + 'to' + verb-ing (going) to compare two activities.
Would you prefer to eat now or later?
You can also use 'prefer' with a to-infinitive, especially in questions with 'would'.
Key points
- After 'would rather', always use the base form of the verb (e.g., 'do', not 'to do' or 'doing').
- When comparing two things with 'prefer', use 'to' (e.g., 'I prefer coffee to tea').
- When comparing two actions with 'would rather', use 'than' (e.g., 'I'd rather walk than drive').
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Find the mistake
Read the sentences below about preferences and daily activities.
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01I would rather to go to the cinema than the theatre.
Corrected version
I would rather to go to the cinema than the theatre.
02She prefers reading a book from watching a series.
Corrected version
She prefers reading a book from to watching a series.
03My friend prefer staying inside when it's cold.
Corrected version
My friend prefer prefers staying inside when it's cold.
04Do you prefer spend your free time alone or with friends?
Corrected version
Do you prefer spend spending your free time alone or with friends?
05He'd rather have coffee for breakfast then tea.
Corrected version
He'd rather have coffee for breakfast then than tea.
06I would rather not to cook tonight, let's order a pizza.
Corrected version
I would rather not to cook tonight, let's order a pizza.
07I enjoy being outdors, especially when the weather is sunny.
Corrected version
I enjoy being outdors, outdoors, especially when the weather is sunny.
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Key vocabulary for expressing preferences
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally when discussing your choices and preferences.
Examples
Be keen on (doing) something — to be very interested in or enthusiastic about an activity or subject.
This is a great alternative to 'like' or 'enjoy'. It's followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form). For example: 'I'm not very keen on horror films.'
Can't stand (doing) something — to have a strong dislike for something.
Use this when you want to express a very strong negative feeling, much stronger than 'I don't like'. For example: 'I can't stand waiting in long queues.'
It depends on... — used to say that your choice is affected by another factor, like the weather, your mood, or the cost.
This is a useful phrase for giving more complex answers. For example: 'Do you prefer eating out or cooking at home?' 'It depends on how tired I am after work.'
Have a lie-in — to stay in bed later than usual in the morning.
This is a common expression, especially in British English, for a popular weekend activity. You could say: 'I'd rather have a lie-in on Saturday than get up early.'
I'm easy / I don't mind either way — a phrase used to say you are happy with any of the choices offered.
This is a friendly, informal way to show you are flexible when making plans. For example: 'Should we get pizza or pasta?' 'I'm easy, you choose!'
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Phrases for expressing preferences
Learn some new ways to talk about what you like and don't like.
Match each phrase on the left with its meaning on the right.
Drag or click to match
Definitions
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Useful phrases: Making weekend plans with a friend
Vocabulary
When you're making plans, you often need to suggest ideas, agree or disagree, and confirm the final choice. Here are some natural phrases to help you discuss your preferences with a friend.
Examples
What are you in the mood for? — A friendly way to ask what someone wants to do.
Register: Informal. Use this at the start of a conversation to get a general idea of your friend's preferences (e.g., something active, something relaxing).
I'm not a huge fan of that idea. — A polite way to say you don't like a suggestion.
Register: Informal/Neutral. This is softer and more polite than saying 'I don't like that'. It's good to follow this with a reason or an alternative suggestion.
I'd rather do something a bit more active. — To state your preference clearly after another idea has been mentioned.
Register: Neutral. Use this to gently guide the conversation towards an activity you would enjoy more. You can replace 'active' with any other preference (e.g., 'relaxing', 'outdoors', 'cheap').
That sounds like a great plan. — To show you agree with a suggestion and are happy with it.
Register: Informal/Neutral. A positive and clear way to accept an idea. You can also say 'Sounds good to me' for a more casual alternative.
How about we go for a pizza instead? — To offer an alternative suggestion.
Register: Informal. Use this after you've said you don't like a previous idea. The word 'instead' shows you're offering a different option to solve the problem.
Okay, so let's stick with that then. — To confirm the final decision.
Register: Informal/Neutral. Use this when you have both agreed on an activity and want to confirm that the plan is now fixed.
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Making weekend plans
Read the conversation between two friends and complete the text.
Fill in each blank with the correct word or phrase from the word bank.
Word bank
A: So, what do you feel like doing this weekend? I'm not really on going to the cinema again. To be honest, I being in big crowds.
B: Hmm, for me, my mood. If I feel tired, I'd rather stay in. What about you?
A: Honestly, . I'm happy with whatever you decide. I would just prefer not to get up too early. I'd love to for once!
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Planning the perfect weekend
Two friends, Alex and Ben, have very different ideas about how to spend their free time. Read about their preferences below.
Read the passage below, then answer the comprehension questions.
Alex and Ben approach weekends very differently. Alex is really keen on being active and would rather spend his Saturday outdoors, perhaps hiking in the hills. He can't stand staying inside if the weather is good. Ben, on the other hand, prefers a slower pace. He'd much rather have a lie-in and then meet a friend for coffee or see a film. He isn't a fan of long walks and would prefer watching a movie to climbing a hill.
When they try to make plans together, it can be a challenge. Alex might suggest a long bike ride, but Ben will usually say, "I'd prefer not to, thanks." For Ben, the ideal plan often depends on his mood. He's usually happy to say, "I'm easy," as long as the activity doesn't involve too much exercise or an early start.
01What kind of activities is Alex keen on?
Sample answerHe is keen on active, outdoor activities like hiking and bike rides.
02Why would Ben probably say no to a morning hike?
Sample answerBecause he prefers to have a lie-in and doesn't like activities with too much exercise.
03According to the text, what does Ben's choice of activity often depend on?
Sample answerHis choice of activity often depends on his mood.
04What does Ben mean when he says, "I'm easy"?
Sample answerHe means he is flexible and doesn't have a strong preference, as long as the activity meets his conditions (not too much exercise, not too early).
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
- In your country, what do most people prefer doing on a long weekend? Do you think younger people would rather do something different from older generations? Explain your ideas.
- Some people believe it's better to have a structured weekend with many planned activities. Others prefer having no plans at all. Which approach do you think is better for truly relaxing, and why?
- Imagine you are planning a holiday with a friend who has very different tastes. For example, you are keen on relaxing on a beach, but they can't stand sitting still. How would you compromise and decide on activities you both enjoy?